ROSEMONT, PA — For Margaux Comai ’21 and Katherine Glaser ’20, this year’s winter break was more than just a chance to relax. The two Agnes Irwin middle school students traveled to Sheffield, England to compete in the British Junior Open championships Jan. 2-6, both players ultimately placing in the top 20 in their respective age groups.
Katherine Glaser '20 and Margaux Comai '21 - Photo courtesy of AIS
The British Junior Open Championships are the strongest junior squash championships in the world and seen in the sport as the unofficial world championships for each age group (apart from U19, which has its own world championships each summer).
To be selected for the team, players must rank among the top five in their age groups nationally.
Glaser finished 17th in the Open’s U15 tournament. With the hardest draw possible, she had to play the world No. 1 player in the last 32. Despite a great performance, Glaser went down in three games, meaning the highest position she could then finish would be No. 17. She then won several close matches, including wins against France’s No. 1 player, Netherlands’ No. 1 player, and two English players ranked in England’s top eight. She finished out the tournament No. 17, with her only loss to the world No. 1 player Jana Shiha of Egypt.
Margaux Comai '21 and Katherine Glaser '20 at the British Junior Open - Photo courtesy of AIS
Comai finished 12th in the U13 tournament, winning against one of England’s players, then losing to an Egyptian player ranked No. 8 worldwide and playing several other close matches.
Both girls are now ranked in the top 20 players worldwide in their respective age groups.
“It was an amazing performance from both girls,” said AIS Director of Squash Alex Stait, a member of the USA coaching team. “They represented Team USA well and performed beyond all expectations. It was an experience of a lifetime competing against the best that squash has to offer.”